Yoliswa Cele making strong and positive impact across Africa

Yoliswa Cele, a young social entrepreneur based in New York, US, has been working on social development projects related to Africa, particularly South Africa for a while now.

Currently, she is the Development Associate at Shared Interest, which is a social investment fund raising capital from individuals, foundations, and financial institutions in the US to support micro-lending, agricultural cooperatives and small business in South Africa.

Yoliswa with Imbizo H.C colleagues - photo suppliedYoliswa began her work after she was one of six young African panelists
selected to meet and interview American singer Alicia Keys, for the
series "MTV Base Meets" in 2011.

On her interview with Alicia
Keys, Yoliswa said: "The discussion touched on topics such as women's
empowerment, H.I.V./A.I.D.S., and creating change to counter crises.

"Seeing
her passion for making a change really inspired me to let go of the
excuses and realise that I could do what I could with what I had and
that would be good enough."

Yoliswa decided to do something to
bring about positive change to people in South Africa and has since done
some remarkable things.

President Zuma meeting people from Imbizo H.CIn addition to working with Shared Interest, Yoliswa also serves as
Junior Director of Imbizo H.C., a South African community organisation
promoting dialogue and engagement on economic, social and political
issues.

She also contributes to development and marketing for Nalane an NGO providing a comprehensive after school academy in Lesotho.

Through Imbizo H.C and Nalane, Yoliswa and those she works with have
been able to help people find work, access scholarship resources and
embark on a very effective book campaign for children.

"I've
been able to be a part of raising over $30,000 towards initiatives
related to social development back home," Yoliswa told OneVybe.

Delegates at the 'Moving South Africa Forward; The Diaspora's Role' with H.E. President Jacob Zuma.Some
of the highlights and rewarding moments for Yoliswa have been hosting
President Jacob Zuma for a community dinner and meet and greet this for two years running.

This year they had an even bigger and better event with the president while he was in New York during their "Moving South Africa Forward; The Diaspora's Role" with H.E. President Jacob Zuma."

She has also managed to honour Archbishop Desmond Tutu for Shared interest's 20th anniversary.

Desmond Tutu at the Shared Interest's 20th anniversary"My favourite however was being able to organise a benefit dinner that
provided a Christmas party and school supplies to children in my home
town of eNanda. That was an indescribable feeling."

Working on causes that benefit South Africa while she is based so far away in New York, US, can be quite a challenge.

Yoliswa
concedes that it requires a lot of effort to mobilise the South African
community in New York even though they are still very patriotic.

"I've
spent most of my life in the US so for me engaging with a South African
of any ethnicity is something I appreciate," she said.

"I've
made a great effort to meet and interact with all things south African
this side and to become a resource of information for recently migrated
south Africans."

"I currently work with projects related to South
Africa but my objective is to make a strong and positive impact across
Africa. As an African, I see this as a duty. One project at a time we
can change the world."

South African President Jacob Zuma with Imbizo HC

Yoliswa Cele and President Zuma in New YorkFor more information on how to get
involved with the fundraising events and all the work Imbizo H.C and
Nalane does for the community please visit:IMBIZO H.C's work via FacebookNalane.org ImbizoHCNYTwitterImbizohcny.wordpress.com blogforlove.come.za.